ABUJA— FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, said, yesterday, that at 85, he should not be afraid to say what he wants to say, against the backdrop that he was close to the grave. The elder statesman, who reiterated that no ethnic group in the country has a monopoly of governance, stressed that demands for governorship and state creation were legitimate.
Chief Clark spoke yesterday at his Asokoro residence, Abuja, when he received nine traditional rulers under the aegis of Anioma Congress from Delta State, led by the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozie.
The traditional rulers from Delta North senatorial district, were in Chief Clark’s house to kick off campaign that the zone should produce the next governor of the state for the 2015 gubernatorial election or in the alternative that a new state, Anioma State, should be created from the present Delta State, just as they also met with the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.Other traditional rulers with the Asagba of Asaba were the Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor; the Obi of Issele-Uku, Ogene of Ibedeni; Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Obi of Ejeme-Unor; Obi of Ubulu-Uku, Obi of Atuma and Eze Emu of Emu.
Meanwhile, the Asagba of Asaba, who noted that the logic behind making Asaba the capital of Delta State has not been explained, said that the tension for the creation of Anioma State has not died down, adding that although rotational formula was not in the nation’s constitution, was, however, quick to add that same constitution did not cede political power and leadership to a particular zone.
Speaking further, Clark, who admitted that Delta North has been marginalised, however, reminded the traditional rulers that for them to get it right, they should work together and produce a credible candidate, adding, “If you want a governor from Anioma, it is a legitimate demand; if you want Anioma state, it is a legitimate demand. When the right time comes, put in your best candidate. When the time comes, I will cast my vote for Delta North. I have a soft spot for Delta North.”
JD:I concede that Chief Edwin Clark and indeed any one for that matter can say whatever he wants to,but age notwithstanding we are all expected to do so within the laws of the land and the unspoken rules that guide any good society.Old age further bestows on us the responsibility to say things that will always unite our communities ,states and even the country we live in.As we move towards the unavoidable journey to our maker(where there are none of these earthly boundaries,)we should be concerned about the legacies we are leaving behind,be sure that we have done God’s bidding,and we are leaving our society much better than we found it.These are the issues that should occupy the Chief’s mind and indeed all mature human beings,End of story
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